Resolution-PC 2015-085RESOLUTION NO. PC2015-085
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RESCIND PACIFICENTER ANAHEIM
SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 88-3 AND NORTHEAST AREA SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 94-1 AND
ADOPT ANAHEIM CANYON SPECIFIC PLAN NO. 2015-1
(SPN2014-00065)
(DEV2011-00125)
WHEREAS, on April 29, 1986, the City Council of the City of Anaheim ("City Council")
adopted Ordinance No. 4709 to establish uniform procedures for the adoption and implementation
of Specific Plans for the coordination of future development within the City, which specified that
zoning and development standards would be substituted for existing zoning regulations under the
Zoning Code for a Specific Plan area when the Specific Plan includes zoning regulations and
development standards, which zoning and development standards are to be adopted by ordinance
independent of the adoption of the Specific Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Anaheim Canyon encompasses approximately 2,600 acres in the northern
portion of the City of Anaheim, roughly bounded on the north by Orangethorpe Avenue, on the
south by the Santa Ana River, on the east by Imperial Highway (SR -90), and on the west by the
Orange Freeway (SR -57); and
WHEREAS, the Anaheim Canyon encompasses approximately 2,600 acres in the northern
portion of the City of Anaheim, roughly bounded on the north by Orangethorpe Avenue, on the
south by the Santa Ana River, on the east by Imperial Highway (SR -90), and on the west by the
Orange Freeway (SR -57); and
WHEREAS, in 1989, the City Council approved the PacifiCenter Anaheim Specific Plan
No. 88-3 (the "SP 88-3 Specific Plan") together with zoning and development standards applicable
to the SP 88-3 Specific Plan area that are set forth in Chapter 18.106 (PacifiCenter Anaheim
Specific Plan No. 88-3 (SP88-3) Zoning and Development Standards) (the "SP 88-3 Zone") of the
Anaheim Municipal Code (the "Code") to guide development of a mixed use center that would
include offices, retail, restaurants and a hotel with supporting services to encourage transit use and
facilitate business operations on approximately 26 acres, located south of La Palma Avenue, west
of Tustin Avenue, north of the Riverside Freeway (SR -91) and east of the Metrolink rail line; and
WHEREAS, in 1995, the City Council approved the Northeast Area Specific Plan No. 94-1
(the "SP94-1 Specific Plan") together with zoning and development standards applicable to the SP
94-1 Specific Plan area that are set forth in Chapter 18.120 (Northeast Area Specific Plan No. 94-
1(SP94-1) Zoning and Development Standards) (the "SP 94-1 Zone") of the Code to provide for a
wide variety of industrial and commercial uses within an area generally consistent with the
Anaheim Canyon, excluding properties within the SP88-3 Specific Plan area; and
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WHEREAS, in 2011, the City of Anaheim was awarded a grant from the California
Strategic Growth Council to prepare a Specific Plan for Anaheim Canyon to replace the
development requirements of the existing zoning on the properties in this area, remove regulatory
obstacles to the reuse of existing structures, promote infill development of currently vacant or
underutilized properties, encourage sustainable development, and create a business environment
attractive to a wide variety of industries; and
WHEREAS, staff has initiated the preparation of a proposed Specific Plan for the
establishment of the Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area in the form presented to this Planning
Commission; and
WHEREAS, staff has determined that several properties outside of the SP94-1 Specific
Plan Area should also be included within the boundaries of the proposed Anaheim Canyon
Specific Plan Area because they have uses that are similar to the uses on adjacent properties within
the SP94-1 Specific Plan Area, which additional properties include commercial properties located
east of SR -90, properties adjacent to and including the Santa Ana River, and property located
southwest of the intersection of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and Tustin Avenue,
currently designated for industrial use; and
WHEREAS, there are currently approximately 27.9 million square feet of non-residential
buildings within the boundaries of the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area. Formation
of the Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area in accordance with the proposed Specific Plan would
result in the potential to develop an additional 19.6 million square feet of non-residential building
area; and
WHEREAS, there are currently 312 multi -family residential units in the Transit Core Area
(Development Area 4) of the SP94-1 Zone. Formation of the Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area
would result in the potential to develop an additional 2,607 multi -family residential units within
Development Area 3: Transit -Oriented Area of the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan; and
WHEREAS, a series of actions is required to establish a Specific Plan for the Anaheim
Canyon Specific Plan Area (collectively, the "Project Actions"), including:
1. General Plan Amendment No. 2014-00492 to amend the Land Use, Circulation, Green,
Economic Development and Community Design Elements of the General Plan of the City of
Anaheim to be consistent with the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-01; and
2. Specific Plan Amendment No. 2014-00065 to rescind PacifiCenter Anaheim Specific
Plan No. 88-3 and Northeast Area Specific Plan No. 94-1 and adopt the Anaheim Canyon Specific
Plan No. 2015-1; and
3. Zoning Code Amendment No. 2014-00115 to amend Title 18 (Zoning) of the Anaheim
Municipal Code to (a) rescind Chapter 18.106 (PacifiCenter Anaheim Specific Plan No. 88-3 (SP
88-3) Zoning and Development Standards) and Chapter 18.120 (Northeast Area Specific Plan No.
94-1 (SP 94-1) Zoning and Development Standards), (b) adopt Chapter 18.120 (Anaheim Canyon
Specific Plan No. 2015-01 (SP 2015-01) Zoning and Development Standards), and (c) amend
other portions of the Anaheim Municipal Code to be consistent with the addition of said new
Chapter 18.120; and
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4. Reclassification No. 2014-00262 to apply the zoning and development standards of the
proposed new Chapter 18.120 (Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-01 (SP 2015-01) Zoning
and Development Standards) to those properties within the Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area
that are currently classified under the SP 88-3 Zone, the SP 94-1 Zone, the "I" Industrial Zone, the
"C -G" General Commercial Zone, the "T" Transition Zone, and the Scenic Corridor (SC) Overlay
Zone; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.; herein referred to as
"CEQA"), the State of California Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental
Quality Act (herein referred to as the "CEQA Guidelines"), and the City's Local CEQA Procedure
Manual, the City is the "lead agency" for the preparation and consideration of environmental
documents for the Proposed Actions; and
WHEREAS, in September 2013, City Council approved a contract with Placeworks
(formerly The Planning Center DC&E) to prepare Environmental Impact Report No. 2013-00348
("EIR No. 348") for the Proposed Actions; and
WHEREAS, a Notice of Preparation ("NOP") for Draft EIR No. 348 was distributed to the
public on October 28, 2013. The public review period for the initial study ended on November 27,
2013. The City held a public scoping meeting on November 12, 2013 to provide members of the
public with an opportunity to learn about the Proposed Actions, ask questions and provide
comments about the scope and content of the information to be addressed in Draft EIR No. 348;
and
WHEREAS, Draft EIR No. 348 was made available for a 45 -day public review period from
May 28, 2015 to July 13, 2015. The Notice of Availability ("NOA"), which also included noticing
for a public hearing before this Planning Commission and a tentative date for a public hearing
before the City Council to review and consider the Draft EIR No. 348 and the Project Actions, was
sent to a list of interested persons, agencies and organizations, as well as property owners within
the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area and within a 300 -foot radius thereof. The
Notice of Completion ("NOC") was sent to the State Clearinghouse in Sacramento for distribution
to public agencies. The NOA was posted at the Orange County Clerk -Recorder's office on May
28, 2015. Copies of Draft EIR No. 348 were made available for public review at the City of
Anaheim Planning Department and has been available for download via the City's website; and,
WHEREAS, in accordance with California Water Code Section 10910, Draft EIR No. 348
includes a Water Supply Assessment ("WSA") dated October 2014 as Appendix J, which
concludes that a sufficient water supply and its reliability is and will be available for the Anaheim
Canyon Specific Plan Area; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did hold a public hearing at the Anaheim Civic
Center, Council Chamber, 200 South Anaheim Boulevard, on August 24, 2015, which was
continued to October 5, 2015 and, due to a lack of a quorum on that date, continued to October 19,
2015, notice of said public hearing having been duly given as required by law and in accordance
with the provisions of the Anaheim Municipal Code, to hear and consider evidence for and against
said proposed Project Actions, including Specific Plan Amendment No. 2014-00065, and to
investigate and make findings and recommendations in connection therewith; and
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WHEREAS, Specific Plan Amendment No. 2014-00065 proposes to rescind PacifiCenter
Anaheim Specific Plan No. 88-3 and Northeast Area Specific Plan No. 94-1 and adopt the
Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-1 for the Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area; and
WHEREAS, before the Planning Commission can recommend approval of any Specific
Plan, it must make findings of fact that the evidence presented shows that all of the following
conditions exist:
1. That the property proposed for the Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-1 has
unique site characteristics, such as topography, location or surroundings, that are enhanced by
special land use and development standards;
2. That the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-1 is consistent with the goals
and policies of the General Plan, and with the purposes, standards and land use guidelines therein;
3. That the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-1 results in development of
desirable character that will be compatible with existing and proposed development in the
surrounding neighborhood;
4. That the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-1 contributes to a balance of
land uses throughout the City; and
5. That the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-1 respects environmental,
aesthetic and historic resources consistent with economic realities.
WHEREAS, by the adoption of a resolution concurrently with, but prior in time to, the
adoption of this Resolution and pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality
Act (herein referred to as "CEQA"), the State of California Guidelines for Implementation of the
California Environmental Quality Act (herein referred to as the "State CEQA Guidelines"), and the
City's Local CEQA Procedure Manual, this Planning Commission has found and determined and
has recommended that the City Council so find and determine that Final EIR No. 348 provides an
adequate assessment of the potentially significant environmental impacts of the Project Actions
and certify EIR No. 348, including the adoption of Findings and a Statement of Overriding
Considerations and Mitigation Monitoring Program 312, and determine that Draft EIR No. 348
fully complies with CEQA, the CEQA Guidelines and the City's Local CEQA Procedure Manual,
and is adequate to serve as the environmental documentation for the Project Actions; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, after due consideration, inspection, investigation
and study made by itself, and after due consideration of, and based upon, all evidence and reports
offered at said hearing, does hereby find and determine the following:
1. Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-1 will replace the SP88-3 Specific Plan and
the SP94-1 Specific Plan, therefore indicating that the area encompassed by the Anaheim Canyon
Specific Plan Area is suitable for a specific plan; and
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2. The proposed adoption of Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-1 and rescission of
SP88-3 Specific Plan and the SP94-1 Specific Plan are being processed concurrently with General
Plan Amendment No. 2014-00492, which will modify and amend the Land Use, Circulation,
Green, Economic Development and Community Design Elements of the General Plan of the City
of Anaheim to be consistent with the proposed Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-01, and
would include, among other things, changes in land use, expanding the description of the "Water
Use" land use category to allow certain non -water uses within the Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan
Area, a new "Complete Streets Connector" roadway classification, changing references from "The
Canyon" to "Anaheim Canyon," and modifications to bikeways and trails within the Anaheim
Canyon Specific Plan Area. No substantive changes to the General Plan Goals or Policies are
proposed;
3. Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-1 includes Public Realm Improvements and
Private Realm Incentives and Strategies that are consistent with the goals and policies for Anaheim
Canyon contained within the Community Design Element of the General Plan and will result in
development of desirable character that will be compatible with existing and proposed
development in the surrounding neighborhood;
4. Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-1 is intended to maintain and enhance the
City's employment base in the Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan Area, contributing to a balance of
land uses throughout the City; and
5. Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015-1 is intended to encourage sustainable
development and create a business environment attractive to a wide variety of industries; therefore,
respecting environmental, aesthetic and historic resources consistent with economic realities; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission determines that the evidence in the record
constitutes substantial evidence to support the actions taken and the findings made in this
Resolution, that the facts stated in this Resolution are supported by substantial evidence in the
record, including testimony received at the public hearing, the staff presentations, the staff report
and all materials in the project files. There is no substantial evidence, nor are there other facts, that
detract from the findings made in this Resolution. The Planning Commission expressly declares
that it considered all evidence presented and reached these findings after due consideration of all
evidence presented to it.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, on the basis of the above findings and
determinations, the Planning Commission does hereby recommend that the City Council approve
and adopt Specific Plan Amendment No. 2014-00065, as described above and on file with the
Planning and Building Department of the City of Anaheim, contingent upon and subject to the
adoption of (1) General Plan Amendment No. 2014-00492, (2) Zoning Code Amendment No.
2014-00115, and (3) Reclassification No. 2014-00262, now pending.
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THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION was adopted at the Planning Commission meeting of
October 19, 2015. Said resolution is subject to the appeal provisions set forth in Chapter 18.60
(Procedures) of the Anaheim Municipal Code pertaining to appeal procedures.
1 `
CHAI MAN, PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
ATTEST:
SECRETARY, PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF ANAHEIM )
I, Eleanor Morris, Secretary of the Planning Commission of the City of Anaheim, do
hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a meeting of the Planning
Commission of the City of Anaheim held on October 19, 2015, by the following vote of the
members thereof:
AYES: COMMISSIONERS: CALDWELL, HENNINGER, LIEBERMAN, RAMIREZ,
SEYMOUR
NOES: COMMISSIONERS: NONE
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: BOSTWICK, DALATI
2015.
111719-v1/TJR
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of October,
'9��- /'7
SECRETARY, PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
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